Tuesday, June 3-Thursday, June 5, 2025
St. John’s, NL, Canada
Getting here
- FLIGHTS: If you’re using your IN funding to pay for travel, you’ll need to book and pay for your flight upfront. Reimbursements will be processed after your travel is complete. Forward your information, including ticket receipt, to Veronica so she can do paperwork before you travel.
- HOTEL: We are staying at the Sheraton by the water, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s, NL A1C 3K2. If you’re using IN funds for accommodations, contact Veronica directly by May 2. She will book your room directly. If you’re covering your stay with another funding source, you can book directly with the hotel yourself and get the conference rate. Call: 709-758-8453. Email: reservations@sheratonhotelnewfoundland.com. Quote: IN Conference – June 2025. This must be complete by May 2 to get the discount rate.
- FOOD: Lunch will be provided each day. Breakfast and dinner will be on your own/in groups. You can use your IN funding for per diems, which are $12 for breakfast and $28 for dinner. We know it’s small, but it’s policy. If you’re going this route, you’ll be refunded automatically after the conference for food while you’re traveling without a receipt. Let Veronica know so she can do the paperwork. If you are using other funding, please follow their directions.
Schedule
Monday, June 2. Arrive
Tuesday, June 3. Day One: Welcome!
| Before 9am | Breakfast on your own (hotel) |
| 9am, meet in the hotel lobby | Carpool to Cape Spear, the most easterly place in North America. If really bad weather*, still meet in lobby for ride up to signal hill. |
| 9:45-11, Cape Spear (or Signal Hill for really bad* weather) | Welcome Ceremony by Mi’kmaq Knowledge Keeper Sheila O’Neill |
| 11:30 -1, carpool to Yellow Belly Brewery | Return to St. John’s for lunch |
| 1-3, Signal Hill Campus | Lightening talks (everyone does a 2 minute introduction) |
| 3-3:15, Signal Hill Campus | Bio break |
| 3:35-4:15, Signal Hill Campus | IN project update |
| 4:15-4:45, Signal Hill Campus | Final check out |
| 4:45 | Walk (downhill ~15 minutes) or carpool back to hotel. Dinner on your own. |
* Really bad weather means it’s raining too hard to see or drive, there is hail, or there is a snow storm. All other weather is normal. Welcome to NL!
Wednesday, June 4. Day Two: On the Land
| Before 9am | Breakfast on your own |
| 9 am, meet in hotel lobby | Carpool to Memorial University |
| 9:30-11:30, Memorial University | Working group updates |
| 11:30-12:30, Memorial University | Bagged lunch by Indigenous Chef Justin Iglorite |
| 12:30, carpool to boat tour | St. John’s wharves, then to see icebergs (hopefully), whales (maybe), puffins, huge rocks and a breathtaking coastline |
| 4pm, St. John’s wharves | Boat tour ends. Walk (~20 minutes, flat) or carpool to hotel. Dinner on your own. |
Thursday, June 5. Day three: Next steps
| Before 9am | Breakfast on your own |
| 9am, meet in hotel lobby | Carpool to Memorial University |
| 9:15-9:30, Memorial University | Unconference topic generation and selection |
| 9:30-11:45, Memorial University | IN decisions: Core IN membership and best practices for leaving and joining IN; New members discussion; budget decisions; Future IN events |
| 11:45-12 | Walk to Juniper House (~5 min) |
| 12-1 | Lunch at Juniper House. Juniper House offers a cozy atmosphere for students Chef Justin will provide a lunch with a focus on local country foods |
| 1-3 | Break out discussions based on Unconference process |
| 3-3:30 | Goodbye round |
| 3:30-on | Rooms are available for working group and other break out meetings if desired. Contact Veronica to book a space. |
Friday, June 5: Check out of hotel and depart
Remember!
- WEATHER: Weather in St. John’s in June can be as unpredictable as ever — we could have beautiful sunshine, thick fog, or icy drizzle (maybe all three in one day!). Average temperatures range from 6°C to 15°C (42°F to 59°F).
We recommend bringing: walking shoes, warm socks, a windproof coat, a rain jacket (no umbrellas–it is too windy), and many layers to adapt to changing temperatures. - EARLY ARRIVAL/EXTENDED STAY: If you plan to come early or stay a couple of days extra, and would like to book your rental car, do it now! Car rentals are limited and tend to be booked up fast in the summer months.
- Local Attractions (1.5 hours drive from the city):
Baccalieu Trail, Dildo Brewery, East Coast Trail, The Irish Loop – Cape St. Mary’s bird sanctuary, Bay Bulls, Cupids, Max’s house
- Local Attractions (1.5 hours drive from the city):
- ICEBERG tracker: Facebook group and the ECCC tracker
- QUESTIONS? Email Veronica!
